LONDON – In the summer-autumn edition of Natural Fibres Insight, we interview Cosetex, an Italian business with roots in the silk industry dating back to the 19th century.
We caught up with Silvio Mandelli, CEO of Cosetex. Founded by Silvio Mandelli’s grandfather, Silvio, and his brother Giovanni, Cosetex began by collecting discontinuous silk materials from local reeling mills in northern Brianza, Bergamo, and the Milan area.
The sustainability of silk is a subject Mandelli is passionate about. “Silk is undoubtedly a sustainable fibre. It is eco-friendly, fully degradable, and part of a circular production cycle,” he told Natural Fibres Insight.
“Mulberry tree plantations, essential for silkworms, enhance natural ecosystems and biodiversity without requiring fertilizers or pesticides.”
Mandelli argues that the sustainability benefits of silk production extend beyond the environment. “Economically, silk production provides significant income, particularly in rural agricultural environments, supporting families and communities,” he adds.
Interestingly, younger generations are now recognising the value of silk, especially its sustainability. Mandelli cites a survey by the International Silk Union, noting: “Many Millennials associate silk with responsible consumption, slow fashion, and high emotional durability.”
The survey, which included respondents from China, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA, found a significant majority of Millennials perceive silk as comfortable, exclusive, and sustainable.
Cosetex has also conducted its own Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) on silk production. “Mulberry tree cultivation captures significant amounts of CO2, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gases,” Mandelli explains.
The LCAs reveal that the mulberry trees used in silk production absorb 81,650 kg of CO2 per hectare per year, a substantial contribution to combating climate change.
The next edition of Natural Fibres Insight, including the full interview, is out in July.
